Reincarnated Into a Pokémon World and Can See Their Hidden Potential?!

The arena shimmered under the afternoon sun as the match resumed. Ray adjusted his stance as Pidgeotto soared overhead, his feathers catching the light like polished bronze. Across the field, Lance stood calm and poised, raising his second Poké Ball.

"Let's see how you fare against the sky's true predator," Lance said with a faint smirk. "Skarmory, to the field."

The ball burst open, releasing a cry like a metal screech. Skarmory emerged with a spread of razor wings and a glint in its crimson eyes. Its metallic body shimmered, each movement precise, dangerous.

Ray narrowed his gaze. Skarmory was a whole different beast. Unlike Aggron, who relied on brute force, Skarmory would test Pidgeotto in speed, endurance, and air control. A duel of the skies.

"Let's do this, Pidgeotto," Ray said firmly. "Time to prove how far we've come."

The Referee raised a hand.

"Second match! Begin!"

Skarmory took off instantly—blades in flight. Pidgeotto met him mid-air with a powerful beat of his wings. The two Pokémon clashed like dueling swords, metallic echoes bouncing through the stadium.

Ray watched closely, eyes darting. Skarmory's aerial movement was almost mechanical—clean arcs, powerful dives. Pidgeotto had more flexibility, but any mistake could be fatal.

"Don't match him head-on!" Ray called. "Outmaneuver—don't overpower!"

Pidgeotto veered sharply to the left, narrowly dodging a spinning dive from Skarmory. The gust of the attack still shook him, and a few of his feathers scattered in the air.

Down below, Kira watched anxiously.

"That Skarmory... it's brutal in the air. But Pidgeotto's gotten smarter."

Beside her, Mr. Damos crossed his arms. "Skarmory's specialty is exhausting its opponents. But Ray's bird isn't the same one from earlier rounds."

Mid-fight, Skarmory pushed harder.

It chased Pidgeotto with relentless slashes, grazing his flank and forcing him to lose altitude. Pidgeotto winced, but didn't cry out. He spun downward, regained momentum, and struck back with a burst of turbulent wind.

Ray clenched his fist. "Come on. Show him that your wings are stronger than steel!"

Skarmory recovered quickly, wings stiffening into a defensive stance. It darted forward again in a slicing arc—but this time, Pidgeotto dodged, then climbed higher, drawing Skarmory into thinner air.

Ray's plan clicked into place.

A high-altitude duel.

Pidgeotto forced Skarmory higher and higher, where the air was thinner and his own lighter frame gave him the advantage. Skarmory began to slow—slightly, but enough.

"Now, spiral dive!"

Pidgeotto twisted, folding his wings into a spin. He caught Skarmory from behind, striking one of its wing joints. Sparks flew as metal clanged.

Ray's system flared in his mind.

[Aptitude: Deep Blue][Level: 43][Condition: Elevated Focus, Minor Wing Fatigue]

Skarmory faltered mid-flight. Lance's eyes narrowed, sensing the shift.

"One more pass," Ray whispered.

With renewed vigor, Pidgeotto surged forward. He weaved around a final metallic slash and struck Skarmory head-on in its exposed chestplate. The impact sent Skarmory crashing down to the ground, a cloud of dust bursting upon impact.

The arena went silent.

Then—

"Skarmory is unable to battle. Pidgeotto is the winner!"

The audience exploded in cheers.

Ray exhaled sharply, sweat on his brow. Pidgeotto descended and landed beside him, breathing hard but standing proud. Ray crouched and placed a hand on his neck.

"You did it," he said softly. "Your wings are stronger than steel."

From across the battlefield, Lance recalled Skarmory with a solemn nod.

"You're sharper than I expected," he said. "But this battle isn't over."

He reached for his final Poké Ball.

Ray stood, gaze steeling. "I know."

As the tension ramped up, both trainers prepared for the decisive final round. Ray glanced up at the scoreboard—two battles down, one left to decide who would move forward to the semifinals.

And the strongest opponent from Lance's team was still waiting.